Greater Rochester, NY Is Top Innovation Hub

Greater Rochester, NY is Business Facilities’ top-ranked Innovation Hub in the magazine’s 12th Annual Rankings Report. Albany, NY, a global leader in nanotechnology, and 3D-printing hub Youngstown, OH placed second and third, respectively, in BF‘s evaluation of U.S. innovation hubs.

Greater Rochester has become a world-class center for integrated photonics, devices that bring together multiple optics-based functions that can revolutionize communications, medical technology and the imaging-sensing capabilities of national defense and security applications.

The American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics) was launched last year in Rochester with $110 million in funding from the U.S. DOD and $500 million in state and private investment. AIM Photonics, a consortium of 124 partners including industry giants IBM, GE, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, is the heart of an advanced photonics “ecosystem” that includes domestic foundry access, automated packaging, assembly facilities and workforce development.

“Greater Rochester already has a thriving photonics industry supporting thousands of high-wage jobs. AIM is focusing like a laser on innovations that have the potential to launch new industries and technologies that will exponential increase the number of high-tech jobs in the region,” BF Editor in Chief Jack Rogers said.

Huntsville, AL is BF‘s top-ranked metro in the magazine’s STEM Growth Leaders category, which showcases locations that are hot spots for STEM-oriented jobs. Rounding out the top five, respectively, are Durham-Chapel Hill, NC; Boulder, CO; San Jose, CA and Florida’s Space Coast (Melbourne-Titusville).

“Locations that have an available workforce with STEM skills are going to be hard to beat in the competition for projects in 21st century growth sectors,” Rogers said.

Business Facilities is a national publication that has been the leading location source for corporate site selectors and economic development professionals for more than four decades.

The complete 2016 BF Rankings Report, including state, metro and international results, is available here.

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Business Facilities highlights area economic development and site selection news from around the world. Economic development creates opportunities to grow state, local and metro areas, which are essential for economic growth, improved quality of life and community development.

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